Newsletter Summer 2010 Michigan State University Newsletter #5 Twin Registry (MSUTR)

Introduction Fun Twin Facts th Welcome to the 5 edition of the Michigan As always, please feel free to contact us

State University Twin Registry (MSUTR) about anything in the newsletter or about • Nigeria has the highest Newsletter! Your participation in our our studies in general. We are always

rate of multiple births research is invaluable to understanding eager to hear from past participants and and more identical genetic and environmental influences on a welcome any suggestions for improving

twins. China has the range of behaviors. Thank you for being a our work. lowest with the chance part of this important research! for multiple births Sincerely, The 5th edition of our newsletter has many averaging only one in Drs. Alex Burt and Kelly Klump 300. exciting features. First, we describe some

recent results from our child twin study. (Directors of the MSUTR) Next, we discuss some Disney movies that

• The tallest recorded have twins as the main characters. Lastly, female twins in the we have included information about world reach a height of college scholarships available for twins. 6’43/4”. They were born in Palos Verdes,

CA. Research Findings from Our Studies!

The MSUTR researchers recently contribute to this trait. Importantly, • Having fraternal twins examined data from the Twin Study of however, our finding of genetic influence on is a trait that runs in Behavioral and Emotional Development in sleep troubles does not imply that parents families. Identical twins Children (TBED - C; include s same - sex twin cannot help their children overcome these are completely random pairs between the ages of 6 and 10) in problems. Indeed, parents and children in nature. order to explore the extent to which genes can still learn techniques to help them sleep

influence problems with sleep (as better. Please let us know if you have any

indicated by parent report). As seen in questions about this or other studies being • Areas that experience Figure 1, there do appear to be large long summer days conducted in our laboratory. We look genetic influences on sleep problems. In witness more fraternal forward to telling you about our newest other words, some children may naturally twins conceived. findings in future Newsletters! be more inclined to have trouble sleeping. This conclusion is based on the • Eating yams may observation that identical twins enhance your chance (monozygotic: MZ) were more similar to to conceive twins, as each other on this trait than were fraternal can living in the twins (dizygotic: DZ). Because MZ twins western versus the share 100% of their genes, while DZ twins eastern part of the share 50% (on average), increased MZ world . twin similarity for sleep problems is likely due to the larger number of genes that they have in common relative to DZ twins. Environmental influences, by contrast, would be implied if MZ and DZ twins were equally similar on sleep problems. Although this finding therefore indicates that genes contribute to sleep difficulties, additional research is needed to better understand which genes, in particular, Movies about Twins!

Just as the world seems to be intrigued by the lives and • , Heather and Heidi (Poppi behaviors of twins, the empire also seems Monroe and Annie McElwain) are twin sisters with to capitalize on the craze over twins. The following are different personalities, but they have one thing in descriptions of movies that are affiliated with Disney and common- their love for basketball. Based on a true whose story lines focus on identical and fraternal twins as story, these twin sisters excel in their sport and main characters. become the first twins to play in the WNBA. • , Andrew Carson (Trevor O’Brien) is • Twitches, Tia and Tamara Towry are real life twins a motorcross star. However, before one of that play the role of twins who were separated at Andrew’s races, Andrew breaks his leg. When birth. Once they learn of each others’ existence, Andrea (Alana Austin) learns of the news, she they work together to understand their power’s true takes the opportunity to show everyone her potential while fighting the force of the Darkness. It motorcross talent by posing as her brother during becomes a race to save the enchanted land of his races. Coventry before it’s too late.

Scholarships for Twins

Back by popular demand, we have included information on The Twins day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, offers a new college scholarships for twins below: $1,000 scholarship to high school seniors to help with upcoming college expenses. • Carl Albert State College in Oklahoma, Paul Nieto Twin Scholarship To be eligible, applicants must have registered for and • Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, each twin gets attended three of the last five festivals. Application forms the scholarship in alternate years can be requested from www.twinsdays.org.

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Bonnie Evans Feinberg Scholarship More information about twin/triplet scholarships can be • Sterling College in Kansas, 50% discount for each twin found at: http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/unusual.phtml

Our Current Twin Studies

1 Female Twin Study of Hormones and Behavior: This project If you are interested in study 1 or know someone who is, investigates changes in ovarian hormone levels and behavior across the please contact us at: menstrual cycle, and whether these associations are influenced by [email protected] or call (517) 432-3665 genes, in female twins ages 16-22.

2 Michigan Twins Project: This is a mail-in twin registry for twins If you are interested in study 2 or know someone who is, between the ages of 3 and 25 living within lower Michigan. Families please contact us at: complete a brief on-line questionnaire that assesses family composition [email protected] or call (517) 432-5604 and the health status of both parents and twins.

3 Twin Study of Behavioral and Emotional Development - Child: This study examines relationships among genes, mood, peers, If you are interested in study 3 or know someone who is, family relationships and acting out behaviors in same-sex twins please contact us at: ages 6-10 years old. [email protected] or call: (517) 355-6878

www.msutwinstudies.com

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